ELI NP has generated its first photons !

Thales laser installation has started and the customer has witnessed the first lasing effects. Thales is proud to help the Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering (IFIN-HH) in conducting theoretical and experimental research with the unique, state of the art high peak power laser system. This 2x10 PetaWatt laser system will support research in nuclear physics and further contribute to the human understanding of the physics of matter.

In just over two years, Thales has developed a solution that will enable the achievement of a peak power record of 10PW. In August 2016 Thales started the delivery of the first equipment in the Magurele site in Romania.
To date, more than 220 tons of materials, including the assembly of 65 optical tables and various vacuum chambers were installed in a clean room of 2400 m² dedicated to the Thales system.
 
The first laser effects were obtained in April 2017 with the installation of the two Front Ends and the achievement of the first performances including preliminary amplification work.
 
The ELI NP project is therefore the first site of the three ELI pillars to generate photons !